Season’s Greetings

We’ve spent the last few weeks now, busily preparing,
So much to do, before reaching this feast we’re sharing,
We’ve renovated, tidied, chopped, sliced, and ran to and fro,
But we have all the work done now, so it’s on with the show,
It’s early, just the cockatoos outside share this bright morning,
Screeching at the sun, it’s the afternoon heat they are forewarning,
An Australian Christmas is hot, some years it can be quite obscene,
Yet a fat bearded man in a red winter coat, can always be seen,
Kids still sing of sleigh bells, some families eat a hot roasted meal,
But thankfully culture is changing, and we’re finding our own deal,
For some, there’s backyard cricket, barbecues, salads, and cold beers to plunder,
Because there is no freezing Christmas, when you are living down under,
Our family will arrive later this morning, and some final cooking will be done,
Before we sit and eat, chat, and then listen to the air conditioner’s hum,
No fat bearded men in red winter coats are on display here,
But there will be plenty of food, creamy desserts, and some lively cheer.
Although our decorations are black, the lights will still be shining bright,
When, with full bellies, we surrender another Christmas to the night.